Michelle

I was diagnosed with breast cancer in July of 2000, 2 ½ years after feeling the lump in my breast for the first time. Despite the shock of the diagnosis, I felt very fortunate because the cancer hadn't spread. I was also tremendously grateful that I was able to breastfeed my daughter during the previous year. After my lumpectomy in August, I went through four months of chemotherapy.

My church, the Latina community, and my faith in God were my support system. After my diagnosis, ten of my friends got together and had a dinner for me. They all wanted to do something to help. One friend brought me meals, and another helped me organize my bills and went to the park with my daughter. It was wonderful to have so many people supporting me through this all.

My cancer diagnosis was also a real turning point in my life because it forced me to reexamine my goals and priorities. I joined parenting classes at my church, which gave me some of the strength to change what I could for me. I finally quit my job, which had been making me miserable. I also faced up the realities of some personal relationships and found the strength to make some much needed changes.

As I started making major changes in my life, I started believing in myself for the first time. Through it all, my daughter was my inspiration. More than anything else, I wanted to protect her. My experience with cancer was transformative because I finally realized that I had to take care of myself before I could protect her.

I've now been cancer-free for three years, and I couldn't have done it without all the support - and inspiration.